Harry Redknapp’s England hype machine feels like deja vu: Final Third

Harry Redknapp’s life story would be a great read â assuming you could make sense of the ramblings of a two-year-old scribe.

Stop and think: Will Harry Redknapp be England’s saviour or will it be the same old story? (Pic: Getty)

Wednesday’s events alone, when the Spurs boss was cleared of tax evasion and thrust to the verge of the vacant England job within 12 hours, would make a fairly compelling story.

Two days on and the court case seems like ancient history, the Harry-for-England hype machine is in full swing.

If media clamour and public opinion mean anything, it appears any other application for the England job would not be worth the paper itâs written on. Itâs Harryâs job.

So much so it was mildly surprising yesterdayâs press conference didnât end with FA chairman David Bernstein being lifted shoulder high by the press pack and carried around the North Circular to knock on Daniel Levy âs door.

Which is fine. Redknapp appears to be the best man for the job if weâre going to go with an Englishman â and Wayne Rooney says we should, so obviously we should.

But do we never learn? The same cheerleaders trumpeting the cause of the Spurs boss will be the first to point to his lack of top-level experience (one major trophy, one year in the Champions League) if it all goes a bit wrong in 18 months.

The people busy stating with some presumed authority that international management is all about psychology and man-management will be the ones pointing out Spainâs tactical superiority and subsequent success is unlikely to be solely down to Vicente del Bosque whispering sweet-nothings in Xaviâs shell-like.

Which is not to say I wish Harry ill will. Far from it.

I think heâd make a âtârrificâ England manager and would be as happy as anyone else if he put a much-needed smile back on the face of the national team.

But we have been here before â King Kev, Sven, Shteve (well, maybe not Shteve), Fabio. Ushered in as heroes then smuggled out the back door in shame.